〇Shirakoma Pond
#白駒池 #八ヶ岳
Shirakoma Pond, with its stunningly crystal clear water, is located in an old growth forest at the foothills of Mt. Kita-Yatsugatake. It is the largest lake that can be found above an elevation of 2,100 meters in Japan and it boasts a 5.8-meter degree of water transparency. On a calm, sunny day, the surface of the pond transforms into a mirror, reflecting the surrounding forest and the sky above. The lake presumably got its name from a tragic legend that tells of a young girl who disappeared into Shirakoma Pond together with her white horse (Shirakoma literally means “white foal”).
From the parking lot, it is a 15-minute walk through the forest to reach the lake. In the old growth forest surrounding the lake, you will find trees that are hundreds of years old such as Japanese hemlock, spruces, and Veitch’s silver fir, with a carpet of green moss covering the forest floor below. The woodlands are constantly displaying delightful colors for us to enjoy, starting from the pink, fringed iwakagami flowers which begin to appear in the late spring, to the deep red berries of the Japanese rowan that show themselves in the fall. The path through the trees is well kept, so you can enjoy the magnificence of the deep forest without any worries. For those planning to climb Mt. Yatsugatake or go trekking in the area, Shirakoma Pond is also a great spot to energize yourself before a long day of hiking.
AloJapan.com